End Of Region Research Articles

Unveiling the anomalous atomic stacking and formation mechanism of 1:3R Z-plates in Sm2Co17-type magnets

Sm2Co17-type permanent magnets are the favorable choice for applications above 200 °C. Their performance can be enhanced by Zr alloying, mainly due to the formation of Zr-rich 1:3R Z-plates. Herein, the atomic-scale structures of the Z-plates in an 1.7 at% Zr alloyed Sm2Co17-type magnet are unveiled using aberration-corrected STEM. Zr is observed to preferably replace the dumbbell Sm to form (Sm1/3Zr2/3)Co3 Z-plates, which have a number density of 37.6 µm−1 along c-axis. The Z-plate with thickness of the reported one-unit cell is rarely seen, instead several anomalously stacked types are detected. Most of the Z-plates have a two-third stacking (2/3-stacked) of one-unit cell, some of them are lacking one Sm+Co layer while others have additional Sm+Co layers. Totally four types of single 2/3-stacked Z-plates are identified, acting as the basic units for thick Z-plates. A few Z-plates (number density 2.73 µm−1) have thickness of more than double 2/3-stacking, which deteriorate the oxidation-resistance of the magnet. Further, by analyzing the end regions of Z-plates, the diffusion-controlled mechanisms for the phase transformation from the 2:17R matrix to the 1:3R Z-plates are unraveled.

Adaptive selection strategy of shape parameters for LRBF for solving partial differential equations

Radial basis function (RBF) is a basis function suitable for scattered data interpolation and high dimensional function interpolation, wherein the independent shape parameters have a direct impact on the accuracy of calculation results. Research in this field is mostly concerned with the shape parameter selection strategy based on the premise of global distribution or block regional distribution. In this paper, a shape parameter selection strategy is proposed, which is used for the local RBF collocation method (LRBF) for solving partial differential equations. It overcomes many limitations of the traditional methods applied to LRBF. In this strategy, a set of twin matrices similar to the interpolation matrix are constructed to evaluate the error of the model. In addition, the penalty term contained in the twin matrix is used to relax the influence of the far end region on the target node. Since the objective problem is nonlinear, a particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) is employed to minimize the training objective and adjust the shape parameters of the basis function at each iteration. Extensive numerical results showed the effectiveness of the error estimation strategy, by providing a good shape parameter and better solution accuracy. At the end of the paper, the generality of the shape parameter optimization framework based on this strategy is discussed through three examples.

Vitellogenin Ab structure of the amazonian Arapaima gigas

The vitellogenin is composed by polypeptides that are precursors of egg yolk proteins that provides embryo and larvae nutrition. The mRNA encoding for vitellogenin Ab (Vtg-Ab; 4,536 bp long and 1,512 amino acids) were obtained by RNA-Seq library sequencing of pirarucu gonads. The Vtg-Ab sequences had high homology with Vtgs of other three teleosts species of the order Osteoglossiformes. The transcript of ovarian Vtg was identified based on structural criteria, and so we classify the Vtg of pirarucu as Vtg-Ab due to the truncated or shortened phosvitin (N-terminal end) and phosvitinless domain (C-terminal end). The Vtg-Ab of pirarucu present two major deletions with 133 amino acids in the Lipovitellin I domain and 89 amino acids in the truncated or shortened Phosvitin domain, both located in the N-terminal end region. The three-dimensional (3-D) structure Vtg-Ab protein shows the presence of a typical 4α-helices bundle protein that runs in anti-parallel. In general, the characterization of Vtg-Ab may be the useful elucidation of the hormonal regulation of vitellogenesis and improve the production of pirarucu for broodstock management in aquaculture and preparation of Vtg antibody production (species-specific) for sex identification.

Evolution of terminal fans in the Indo-Gangetic foreland basin: A process-response model

The present and paleo-drainage networks, depositional surfaces, fault throw, slope of the downthrown fault blocks, soil properties, sediment characteristics and published optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages are used to define the role of tectonics and climate in the growth of forty-five terminal fans (TFs) in the Indo-Gangetic foreland basin. Twenty-three TFs show a single exposed surface throughout, suggesting no or imperceptible breaks in sedimentation during their formation. In contrast, twenty-two TFs show multiple growth surfaces, separated by soil profiles and erosional surfaces. The available optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates of these depositional surfaces suggest different phases of TF growth.Tectonically triggered surface faulting altered accommodation space, slope of the substrate, and sediment supply and initiated new TF depositional cycles. The tectonically stable periods, in contrast, did not form TFs, despite the favourable humid climate conditions. Instead, the dry and humid climatic regimes, when combined with frequent surface faulting, produced and remobilized sediments more quickly, promoting TF growth. The humid climate TFs are spatially extensive (average area = 2000 km2), with clay horizons interspersed between sand facies. The dry climates TFs are smaller (average area = 1370 km2), with intervening calcrete horizons and surface salt-efflorescence. Low precipitation and inadequate sediment supply hampered the growth of these dry climate TFs. Despite a considerable period of surface exposure, the surfaces of dry climate TFs lack a well-developed soil profile.The upper Ganga Plain provides more accommodation space across the faults than the middle Ganga Plain. Accommodation space and substrate slope have little effect on TF area unless climatically triggered sediment remobilization occurs. For a given accommodation space and substrate slope, steeper sloping TFs occupy less area than lower sloping ones. Faults with throws of <5 m and substrate slopes of <2° do not form TFs; instead sediment wedges are formed across fault slope breaks.The TFs in the upper Ganga Plain show more growth surfaces than the middle Ganga Plain. The older growth surfaces are either progressively arranged across the direction of channel shift or occur as inliers in between the younger alluvium. Well-developed distributaries on the older TFs disperse sediment more readily, rather than accumulating it in proximal fan regions. However, the younger TFs, with relatively less-developed distributary channel networks, vertically stack sediments in their proximal part and occasionally transport sediment as sheet floods to their distal end regions. The combined geomorphic response of TFs to tectonic events and climatic fluctuations is, therefore, simultaneous for TF growth and stabilization.

Indirect Method to Measure of Initial Mover Position in Flux-Modulated Linear Actuator for Five-Axis Gantry Robot Using Low-Cost Current Sensors and Considering End Effect

An initial mover position (IMP) detection algorithm for a dual-saliency flux-modulated permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (DS FM-PMLSM) for a five-axis gantry robot has been proposed in this proposed work. The proposed IMP algorithm uses the saliency of the proposed machine, which results in the inductance variation and checks the change in the inductance by providing sequential current profiles. The effect of the end region at the entry and exit are included to check the robustness of the proposed IMP. A design platform using MATLAB and Altair-Flux has been developed to simulate the proposed IMP algorithm for different positions of the mover. Based on the simulation model, a test setup is developed using a low-cost sensor and six-step inverter and tested the validity of the proposed IMP algorithm for the DS FM-PMLSM.

Pulmonary hypertension in remote and disadvantaged population: overcoming unique challenges for improved outcomes.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common and debilitating medical condition with high mortality. PH research has traditionally focused on pulmonary arterial hypertension and its management in expert PH centres. Other forms of PH such as PH associated with cardiac or respiratory disease are more common, less well-understood and associated with higher mortality. Epidemiology of PH in disadvantaged, remote and rural regions, remains largely undocumented. In this review, we discuss the unique challenges in identifying PH in rural and disadvantaged populations using the Top End region of the Northern Territory of Australia as an example. We propose a simple diagnostic approach, ideally suited to regions where resource allocation is scarce, using clinical skills, echocardiography, and an escalation algorithm. The brief history, epidemiology and current literature on PH are summarised to inform the busy clinicians. We highlight two case examples from the Top End to illustrate the challenges and potential solutions.

Influence of Thickness of Magnetic Shield on Electromagnetic Field and Losses in End Region of Synchronous Condenser

A magnetic shield is widely used in the end region of a synchronous condenser (SC) to decrease the flux densities and losses of the end structural components. In order to investigate the influence of different magnetic shield thicknesses on the distributions of the flux density and loss in the end region, a 300-Mvar SC is selected as the investigation reference in this article. A three-dimensional (3-D) mathematical model used for the calculation of electromagnetic field and loss in the end region of the SC is established. The flux densities and losses of the end structural components are calculated and compared under the different thicknesses of the magnetic shield. From the detailed performance evaluations by the 3-D finite-element analysis, the variation of the flux densities and loss densities in the end region of the SC along with the thickness of the magnetic shield is revealed. The loss distributions of the main end structural components are studied and the end zones where the loss is most significantly affected by the magnetic shield thickness are obtained. The results provide the theoretical basis for the improvement of the loss distribution in the end region of the SC.

Comparative genomic analysis of Streptomyces rapamycinicus NRRL 5491 and its mutant overproducing rapamycin

Streptomyces rapamycinicus NRRL 5491 is a well-known producer of rapamycin, a secondary metabolite with useful bioactivities, including antifungal, antitumor, and immunosuppressive functions. For the enhanced rapamycin production, a rapamycin-overproducing strain SRMK07 was previously obtained as a result of random mutagenesis. To identify genomic changes that allowed the SRMK07 strain’s enhanced rapamycin production, genomes of the NRRL 5491 and SRMK07 strains were newly sequenced in this study. The resulting genome sequences of the wild-type and SRMK07 strains showed the size of 12.47 Mbp and 9.56 Mbp, respectively. Large deletions were observed at both end regions of the SRMK07 strain’s genome, which cover 17 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) encoding secondary metabolites. Also, genes in a genomic region containing the rapamycin BGC were shown to be duplicated. Finally, comparative metabolic network analysis using these two strains’ genome-scale metabolic models revealed biochemical reactions with different metabolic fluxes, which were all associated with NADPH generation. Taken together, the genomic and computational approaches undertaken in this study suggest biological clues for the enhanced rapamycin production of the SRMK07 strain. These clues can also serve as a basis for systematic engineering of a production host for further enhanced rapamycin production.

Anchorage of shear reinforcement in beams and slabs

Anchorage of shear reinforcement, such as links or stirrups, can be performed by providing hooks, bends or heads at their ends, by welding transverse reinforcement or by closing open stirrups with pins. Hooks and bends, also used to enhance the anchorage of flexural reinforcement at the end regions of beams and slabs, have often been preferred because of their simple and cost-effective production. Such anchorages present nevertheless several peculiarities that shall be accounted for. They are relatively sensitive to their detailing (mandrel diameter, length of the tail segment between bar end and bent region) as well as to the cracking state of the surrounding concrete. Also, brittle failures can occur due to spalling of the concrete cover in case of bars near to a free surface.The anchorage with hooks and bends is currently still widely designed according to old detailing rules, based on the results of tests performed in many cases with materials whose properties are significantly different than those of nowadays. Also, no mechanical models are available for a consistent verification and detailing, acknowledging the different potential failure modes and their interaction with the surrounding concrete. In an effort to provide a consistent approach to its design and verification, this paper presents an investigation addressed at understanding the mechanical response and performance of bend and hook anchorages. To that aim, the results of an experimental programme performed with state-of-the-art instrumentation are introduced. By means of analysis of Digital Image Correlation and Fibre-Optic Measurements, the complete transfer of forces is analysed under different circumstances. On that basis, a consistent mechanical model is developed and validated, also reproducing a large variety of tests found in the literature. The paper introduces eventually several practical considerations on the activation of shear reinforcement in beams, and the level of performance required at its anchorages.

Melioidosis in the remote Katherine region of northern Australia.

Melioidosis is endemic in the remote Katherine region of northern Australia. In a population with high rates of chronic disease, social inequities, and extreme remoteness, the impact of melioidosis is exacerbated by severe weather events and disproportionately affects First Nations Australians. All culture-confirmed melioidosis cases in the Katherine region of the Australian Top End between 1989–2021 were included in the study, and the clinical features and epidemiology were described. The diversity of Burkholderia pseudomallei strains in the region was investigated using genomic sequencing. From 1989–2021 there were 128 patients with melioidosis in the Katherine region. 96/128 (75%) patients were First Nations Australians, 72/128 (56%) were from a very remote region, 68/128 (53%) had diabetes, 57/128 (44%) had a history of hazardous alcohol consumption, and 11/128 (9%) died from melioidosis. There were 9 melioidosis cases attributable to the flooding of the Katherine River in January 1998; 7/9 flood-associated cases had cutaneous melioidosis, five of whom recalled an inoculating event injury sustained wading through flood waters or cleaning up after the flood. The 126 first-episode clinical B. pseudomallei isolates that underwent genomic sequencing belonged to 107 different sequence types and were highly diverse, reflecting the vast geographic area of the study region. In conclusion, melioidosis in the Katherine region disproportionately affects First Nations Australians with risk factors and is exacerbated by severe weather events. Diabetes management, public health intervention for hazardous alcohol consumption, provision of housing to address homelessness, and patient education on melioidosis prevention in First Nations languages should be prioritised.

Cyclic lateral behavior of NLFEA heat-damaged circular CFT steel columns confined at the end with CFRP composites

In this study, the nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) method has been adopted to prove the CFRP's effectiveness in restoring the performance of heat-damaged CFT circular steel columns and controlling the columns' failure mode. The simulated CFT column model was firstly checked for validity using previously-conducted experimental research. Then, the model was extended to investigate the impact of the number of CFRP layers (0, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 layers) and elevated temperature (20 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C). Therefore, this study provides an NLFEA of twenty-eight models for CFT circular steel columns wrapped with various layers of CFRP composites at its end region, which represents the critical location in terms of the lateral load capacity. Also, wrapping the specimens' ends helps prevent the occurrence of outward local buckling, resulting in enhancing the specimens' strength, enlarging net drift, and increasing energy dissipation. The study results showed that using five to ten CFRP layers significantly improved the performance of the NLFEA CFT circular steel column models. Nevertheless, using nine or ten CFRP layers had almost the same impact of using eight layers. The NLFEA results showed that the external repairing of heated damaged CFT column with CFRP composite enhanced the cyclic performance, and the efficiency of CFRP composite increased with the heat damage level.

Nested miRNA Secondary Structure Is a Unique Determinant of miR159 Efficacy in Arabidopsis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 20- to 24-nucleotide small RNAs, and whenever a pri-miRNA precursor includes another miRNA precursor, and both of these precursors may generate independent non overlapping mature miRNAs, we called them nested miRNAs. However, the functional and regulatory roles of nested miRNA structures in plants are still unknown. In this study, the Arabidopsis nested miR159a structure, which consists of two nested miRNAs, miR159a.1, and miR159a.2, was used as a model to determine miRNA-mediated gene silencing in plants. Complementation analysis of nested miR159a structures revealed that the miR159a structure can differentially complement the mir159ab phenotype, and a duplex nested structure in the tail end region of the pre-miR159a fold back may have a possible dominant function, indicating the importance of the flanking sequence of the stem in the cleavage of the mature miRNA. Furthermore, continuously higher expression of the miR159a.2 duplex in the severe leaf curl phenotype indicates that miR159a.2 is functional in Arabidopsis and suggests that in plants, a miRNA precursor may encode multiple regulatory small RNAs. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the nested miR159a structure regulated by duplex mutations of miR159a has a unique pattern and provides novel insight into silencing efficacy of Arabidopsis miR159a.

A Vector-Phasor Combined With Superposition Method for Analyzing 3D-Space Topology for Leakage Flux and Losses Suppression of a Generator

A new vector-phasor combined with an analytic method for solving complex flux distributions is proposed. The flux leakage and losses in the end region of a 1266 MW scale generator are analyzed by both finite element simulation and an analytical method. The deviation of the calculated result between the analytical model and the finite element method is very small. The analytical model can acquire current data for fast prediction of the flux density. The analytical and numerical results of the flux distribution are found to be in a satisfactory agreement. In addition, the ability to reduce the eddy current losses in the end regions is also researched using various of structural solutions.

STUDY OF THE ROLE OF RNA-INTERFERENCE IN THE REGULATION OF DISCRETE FRAGMENTATION OF 18S RRNA IN PLANTS

Under stressful conditions, cells must rapidly reduce the level of total mRNA translation, while maintaining the synthesis of some special proteins that help resist stress. In animals and yeast, the inhibition of protein synthesis is mainly associated with the modification of the translation initiation and elongation factors. In plant cells, many of these regulatory mechanisms are not realized. We hypothesize that plants have an alternative mechanism for suppressing mRNA translation associated with site-specific fragmentation of 18S rRNA molecules within 40S ribosomal subunits. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant response to stress is the basis for increasing the efficiency of the breeding process in order to develop stress-resistant varieties of economically important plant species. We found that during a heat shock, discrete RNA molecules accumulate in the cells of various plant species, which are 5'-terminal fragments of 18S rRNA that remain bound in the composition of ribosomal subunits. In this work, the method of nucleic acid hybridization was used to study RNA-interference as a possible mechanism mediating the phenomenon of discrete fragmentation of 18S rRNA in plants in response to heat shock. MicroRNA molecules complementary to the target regions of 18S rRNA, through which its rupture was carried out with the formation of stress-induced 5'-terminal RNA fragments, were not found. The small 5'-terminal fragments of 18S rRNA revealed during the work are proposed to be used as a new type of stress biomarkers in plant cells. The optimized nucleic acid hybridization technique using a DIG-labeled probe complementary to the highly conserved 1-35 5'-end region of plant 18S rRNA can be used to efficiently detect these stress RNA markers.

Hepatitis B Virus Variants with Multiple Insertions and/or Deletions in the X Open Reading Frame 3' End: Common Members of Viral Quasispecies in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.

Deletions in the 3′ end region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) X open reading frame (HBX) may affect the core promoter (Cp) and have been frequently associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of variants with deletions and/or insertions (Indels) in this region in the quasispecies of 50 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients without HCC. We identified 103 different Indels in 47 (94%) patients, in a median of 3.4% of their reads (IQR, 1.3–8.4%), and 25% (IQR, 13.1–40.7%) of unique sequences identified in each quasispecies (haplotypes). Of those Indels, 101 (98.1%) caused 44 different altered stop codons, the most commonly observed were at positions 128, 129, 135, and 362 (putative position). Moreover, 39 (37.9%) Indels altered the TATA-like box (TA) sequences of Cp; the most commonly observed caused TA2 + TA3 fusion, creating a new putative canonical TATA box. Four (8%) patients developed negative clinical outcomes after a median follow-up of 9.4 (8.7–12) years. In conclusion, we observed variants with Indels in the HBX 3′ end in the vast majority of our CHB patients, some of them encoding alternative versions of HBx with potential functional roles, and/or alterations in the regulation of transcription.

Chemical Disorder in 6H-SiC Irradiated with Both He and Fe Ions Followed by 1500 °C Annealing: Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy Analysis

A good understanding of the chemical disorder in silicon carbide (SiC) after ion irradiation is crucial for evaluating structural stability in both semiconductor and nuclear power systems. In this study, 6H-SiC single-crystal was irradiated with 500 keV He and 2.5 MeV Fe ions at room temperature, followed by annealing at 1500 °C for 2 h. The chemical disorders were investigated by electron energy-loss spectroscopy with the transmission electron microscopy at 200 kV. Facetted voids were found in the end region of the damaged layer. Compared with the substrate region, the Si at.% was lower, while the values of C and O at.% were higher, in particular in inner voids. SiCOx (x &lt; 1) bonds at the inner surface of the voids were detected. The energy losses of Si, C edges shifted to be lower in the damaged layer. The possible reason is discussed, and the research results will be used for understanding the ion irradiation-induced damage in SiC.

Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Operon Required for L-Asparagine Utilization in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Understanding the metabolic pathways of amino acids and their regulation is important for the rational metabolic engineering of amino acid production. The catabolic pathways of L-asparagine and L-aspartate are composed of transporters for amino acid uptake and asparaginase and aspartase, which are involved in the sequential deamination to fumarate. However, knowledge of the catabolic genes for asparagine in bacteria of the Actinobacteria class has been limited. In this study, we identified and characterized the ans operon required for L-Asn catabolism in Corynebacterium glutamicum R. The operon consisted of genes encoding a transcriptional regulator (AnsR), asparaginase (AnsA2), aspartase (AspA2), and permease (AnsP). The enzymes and permease encoded in the operon were shown to be essential for L-Asn utilization, but another asparaginase, AnsA1, and aspartase, AspA1, were not essential. Expression analysis revealed that the operon was induced in response to extracellular L-Asn and was transcribed as a leaderless mRNA. The DNA-binding assay demonstrated that AnsR acted as a transcriptional repressor of the operon by binding to the inverted repeat at its 5′-end region. The AnsR binding was inhibited by L-Asn. This study provides insights into the functions and regulatory mechanisms of similar operon-like clusters in related bacteria.

Springback inhibition of Ti-6Al-4V sheet with impact hydroforming at room temperature

Springback is a tough issue in sheet forming, and always leads to dimensional inaccuracy of formed parts. Titanium alloy selected as desired light-weight alloy has been playing significant roles in aerospace industry because of its good comprehensive performance. Whereas, titanium alloy components manufactured always exhibit severe springback at room temperature, which greatly restrict their application. To explore the possibility of reducing springback, rectangular lath-shaped parts with Ti-6Al-4V alloy sheet were fabricated by impact hydroforming (IHF) with self-designed equipment. Consequently, much lower springback is obtained using IHF with high strain rate than that formed by conventional stretch-bending with low strain rate. Great efforts are paid to clarify the mechanism of springback restriction under IHF. Different from traditional forming methods, more complex and high-speed interaction behavior between liquid and Ti-6Al-4V alloy sheet occurs. It considerably increases the difficulty for analyzing the deformation process of sheet under IHF. Thus, a novel solid-liquid coupling numerical simulation technology for IHF was developed. To validate the simulation accuracy, experiments with different forming processes and parameters were performed. Given the combined analysis of experimental and simulation results, it is found that distinctive forming paths are introduced between stretch-bending and IHF. Specifically, the preferred deformation region of sheet transfers from middle region for conventional stretch-bending to end regions under IHF, which mainly attributes to the unique loading behavior of liquid at high strain rate.

Mitigation of Concrete Cover Separation in Concrete Beams Strengthened with Fiber-reinforced Polymer Composites

Strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams using fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) is an effective method that is gaining more acceptance worldwide. However, failure of the strengthened beams at the plate-end region by concrete cover separation (CCS) compromises the effectiveness of such a strengthening system. Among available anchorage systems to remedy such problem, the use of FRP U-wraps at the end region of the externally bonded FRP has the potential to prevent CCS failure. Most studies in the literature suffer from poor design of test specimens and the use of random amounts of FRP anchorage. This resulted in nonconclusive findings and contradicting results on the real effectiveness of FRP U-wraps as an anchorage to prevent plate-end debonding failure. That in turn has been reflected in the lack of reliable design methods for the design of FRP U-wrap anchorage. In this paper, the effect of FRP U-wraps on the mitigation of CCS failure in FRP-strengthened RC beams was experimentally examined and quantified. The study included full-scale RC beams strengthened in flexure using carbon FRP (CFRP) sheets and anchored at the plate-end region using vertical CFRP U-wraps. The test variable was the amount of CFRP U-wrap that is required to achieve complete mitigation of CCS. The test results indicated the effectiveness of FRP U-wraps on mitigating CCS failure once the required area of CFRP U-wrap was placed. Relevant design models were presented and assessed against the experimental results of the current study. The comparisons indicated inaccurate predictions for the area of FRP U-wrap that is required to prevent CCS. This sheds the light on the need for developing a more reliable and accurate method for the design of an end anchorage to prevent CCS failure.

Prevalence and incidence of diabetes among Aboriginal people in remote communities of the Northern Territory, Australia: a retrospective, longitudinal data-linkage study

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence and incidence of diabetes among Aboriginal peoples in remote communities of the Northern Territory (NT), Australia.DesignRetrospective cohort analysis of linked clinical and administrative data sets from...